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Portage, Wisconsin
Vicious dog ordinance
The committee OK'd tightening of the city's vicious dog ordinance
Thursday after spending more than five months drafting language. Its
advancement to a council vote was stalled last month after Columbia
County Humane Society President Dawn Brauner objected to the draft's
language. She said the city would need to reach an agreement with
the shelter to house problem dogs in accordance with stipulations in
the ordinance.
But City Attorney Andy Voigt said that the city should move
forward with the ordinance because if it does not pass then
there is nothing to negotiate.
The ordinance includes a multi-tier approach to
labeling problem pets. After a minor reported
incident, animals would be deemed dangerous and be
subject to special rules, including an increased
annual registration fee. A more substantial incident
or incidents could lead an animal to be labeled a
vicious dog, meaning it would be banned from the
city.
Enforcement of the ordinance would be in the
hands of the police department, which also
would determine whether a dog was dangerous
or vicious. Pet owners would, however, be
allowed an appeals process through the
Legislative and Regulatory Committee.
Portage's current ordinance on vicious
dogs and animals precludes dogs deemed
as "vicious" from being allowed off the
owner's premises unless muzzled and on a
leash controlled by the owner or a
member of their immediate family older
than 16.
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